Virginia Kaye Venhaus, 82, of Happy, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Public viewing will be at Brooks Chapel in Canyon on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 7th and 8th, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. followed by a Vigil to be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon. Private family Mass will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Happy with Father Alvin Tshuma as Celebrant. The public graveside service will be at 3:30 P.M. on Thursday in Happy Cemetery.
Kaye was born on February 1, 1941 in Amarillo to C.S. and Grace Ray (Bennett) Baker. In 1959, she was a member of the first class to graduate from Tascosa High School and was able to help decide on the school colors and mascot.
She then attended West Texas State University where she was on scholarship as a member of the swim team. Kaye married Vincent Venhaus on February 26, 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Amarillo. He preceded her in death on January 4, 2002.
Kaye worked for 20+ years as office manager at Wrangler Feed Yard. After retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher at Happy Elementary School for many years, and due to her love of swimming, she also taught swim lessons in her back yard every summer for 18 years.
Kaye was a member of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church of Happy and was active in her Bunko group for thirty years. She was also a member of the Happy Jaycettes. She was an avid reader, loving many different genres. She also enjoyed her flowers in the backyard and was immaculate in her holiday decorations, specializing in Christmas themes each year. Kaye loved her time watching many children over the years after school until their parents were able to pick them up. She was extremely proud of how many grandchildren and great grandchildren she was able to love.
Kaye is also preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her four children, Vince and Karen Venhaus, Vicky and Terry Buckelew, Carry and Ivan Schacher, and Connie and Michael Osmanski; 13 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren, Jennifer Watson and husband, John and children, Reagan and Kori, Heather Sepeda and husband, Mario and children, Caden, Gentry, Jaxon, Maddox, and Elliana, Matthew Venhaus, Mitchell Venhaus and wife, Cami and children, Grayson, Alayna, Jakob, and Abbott, Tara Braddock and husband, Dusty and daughter, Adalyn, Justin Kleman and wife, Brandy and children, Kesley, Kase, and Kollyns, Kelcee Keith and husband, Tye and children, Paislee, Bentlee, and Barrett, Tyler Schacher and wife, Misti and children, Lily and Khloe, Tiffany Rice and husband, Jim and children, Micah, Beau, Clara, and Jameson, Tanner Schacher and wife Courtney and children, Tate, Nolan, and Hayes, Terence Schacher and children, Tysen, Jaxsen, Emery, and Graysen, Jacie Litz and husband, Steve and children, Dane, Piper, Oz, Bennett, and Willow, and Chanlar Osmanski and wife, Amanda and children, Kamden, Hudson, Gunnar, and Lainey; three siblings, David and Donna Baker, Susie Branch, and Jim and Carolyn Baker; and numerous nieces and nephews.